RIFLEMEN AT TRENTHAM.

Shannon News, 2 March 1923, Page 4

RIFLEMEN AT TRENTHAM.

FIRST SHOOT OF NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. \ many local competitors. TRENTHAM, March 1. The first meeting of the newly constituted National Rifle Association of New Zealand was opened at Trentham this morning. The weather overflight was showery and the morning broke dull the clouds threatening further rain, while a cold southerly made a marked contrast with the-torrid heat often experienced here at this time of

the year. The list of entries is not complete but it is expected that it will reach close on 300, which is less than was anticipated when the pro--gramme was drafted. Two years ago, the last meeting under the Dominion Rifle Association, 419 men competed. Among those on the range to-day are practically all the recent King’s prizemen, as well as others who have been trying hard for years to reach the champion’s chair. , , The men paraded before 9 o clock and were addressed by Colonel Collins president of the Association, who detailed how the Dominion Rifle Association was abandoned owing to the Government having to prune expenditure and how the rifle enthusiasts thereupon decided to run-a meeting of their own. This rheant that the men must dip a bit deeper into their own pockets, but the sport was worth it, and by making this meeting a sucoess the future of the association would be assured. The Government, although unable to make a monetary grant, had lent valuable aid in the matter of railway fares, ammunition and range accommodation. Colonel Collins regretted that more young shots were not present and stressed the need for every man being a, recruiting agent for the Association.

Mr Coombes, the sporting editor of the “Sydney Referee," who is a competitor, addressed the gathering, expressing thanks for the personal welcome and giving a message of goodwill from the Australian riflemen; who would have been represented' by a strong team but for the foot that the big Commonwealth rifle meeting clashed- with this. “We recognised that it was no use bringing anything but a team of champions here," concluded Mr Coombes, amidst laughter and applause. Colonel Hughes, chief executive officer .addressed the men on the work to be done. ■ A start , was then made with the D series, the first event being the No. 1 stage of -the Anzac Match ten shots

at ,300 yardp, which may be regarded as a preparatory shoot for the tyros with profit /to the leaders. •, ’« PRIZE-WINNERS.

ANZAC No. 1, ten shots at : 300 yards (possible So ). L — D. E. . Wilton (Mauriceville), 47, £2; Mhjor G. S. ,Taylor (Karori) 47, and President E. tf. Lintfer (Prankton) 45, £l. Smaller prizes were won by Goldfinch (Wellington) 45, Mitchell (Pe'tone) 44 Webber (Cambridge), Trotmah (Grey town), Green . (Okawa), Cohaor (Okawa), and F. Whiteman (Upper Hutt)* 43, Itoberston (Christchurch;-,. Osborne (Karof-i). and Jones (Timaru) 42. Ten were counted out. ’ SERVICE SERIES,— Classification Practice Match No. 1, live shots prone, five kneeling .(each .20 seconds), and ten shots rapid (in 50 seconds),,, all 200 yards (possible 100).—A, O. Cros-. san (Linton) 93, £3; P. H. Janies (Napier), 92, £2. The following take £1 each: J. G. Ritchie (Hawera), J. Bryden‘ (Kaiapoi), each 91; H. T. Boon and H. R. Hunt (Wellington Suburbs) 89; .. E. Venneil (Te Wharau), Captain H. Simmonds (Wanganui), C. Whiteman, (Wellington Suburbs), and T.; Sharland (2nd Canterbury Battalion), 86; E. J. Reston (Akaroa) 55, ; J. P. Atkinson (Akarana), P. Needham (Linton), H. Barrett (Prankton) 84. Smaller prizes were won by Hester (Wellington Suburbs) and P. Mack (Christchurch) 84, T. J. Edwards (Linton), W. E. Jones (Timaru), P. B. Hamilton (Wanganui), Lieut. W, Duncah (Westport), G. S. Campbell (Gkawa) and R. Snedden (Wellington) 83, E.'»R. Moss (Greymouth), and P. W. Ching (Karori) 82. Pour were counted out. CLASSIFICATION PRACTICE MATCH, No. 2, five rounds, snapshooting at figure target, prone at 200 yards, 5 seconds per shot and five rounds application at' 500 yards (possible 40).—R. Caughley (Karori) '3B, £3; P. Needham (Linton) 37,. £2, The following take £1: H. C. Joneh ('Okawa), R. E. Hester (Wellington Suburbs) Capt A. Nielson (Napier), and W. K. Williams (Ohura) 36, A. JGreen Westport), W. ■'G. Wagsland (Napier), H. V. Croxton (Karori), Lieut. W. Duncan (Westport), H. H. Mawley (Opaki), Lieut. J. A. Munro (Wyndham). Capt. P. Bolton (Opaki), and A. C. Crossan (Linton) 35, C. J. Page Linton) 34. Smaller prizes were won by Pres. P. Palmer (Patea), D. J Guiney (Petone), A. H. Guy (Kaponga), W. J. Feast (Opaki),' C. Dunstan (Waihi) 34, It. Gillick (Kiwi, Dunedin) P. B. Hamilton (Wanganui), Pres. H. T. Marshall (Karori), D. McCalmont (Opaki), G. T., Gardiner (Tuamarina), all 34. «